Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to astronomy and was wondering who all lives near the Fort Smith area. I may have met a few of you at the Mulberry Mnt. star party, I was the kid wandering around aimlessly asking everyone about their setups. Anyway, I'm looking for people nearby that I can get in touch with and bug with all my beginner's questions, if that's acceptable.

Drake Simmons

Hi!

My name is Leonard and live in Fort Smith.

I and anyone else in the club will be glad to answer any questions you may have..........

I can't place you, there were a lot of people at Mulberry Mnt that fit you description.

Welcome to our website and hope you enjoy astronomy as much as I do.

I am also the AOAS Membership Chairman. You can go to the "Download" Section and downloard a membership application. Membership is $40.00 per year for an individual or family. You can also see me at any of our events and get a application. Just fill it out and get it to me and you will be a full member. My address is on the application.

Hi Drake!

Welcome to our club web site. Although I don't live in Fort Smith, you're welcome to bug me with beginner type questions via e-mail when you need to. You can send me an e-mail by clicking on my username in the top left corner of any of my posts or clicking on the e-mail button on the bottom of any of my posts. Of course, you can also ask questions in these forums - which not only helps you, but others will be able to benefit from the answers as well.

Let me know if I can be of help.

well, first question. my friend is letting me borrow his 60mm refractor, which is cursed with tons of false color and other faults. i've been trying to find a cheap dob for dso's, any suggestions?

I would go with at least a 8" DOB, a 10 "or 12" would be better............get the largest diameter scope you can afford and move around.

On the home page, there is are several posts from a lady selling astro equipment owned by her late husband. You may find a bargin there.

I have bought most of my equipment off of eBay, but you have to know what you want.

Here is a current ebay ad you can look at:

It is a 8" scope with "Push To" computer control.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORION-SKYQUEST-INTELLISCOPE-XT8-ACCESSORIES-/200505514360?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eaf0f5978

Here is another:

It is a 12' scope...........a lot larger, no computer, but the same price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORION-SKYQUEST-XT12-CLASSIC-12-DOBSONIAN-TELESCOPE-/200513177834?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eaf8448ea

AOAS is having a Star Party Friday night, Sept. 10th at the Huchabee Nature Center. Come out and look at and through several scopes, Talk to us and get a good idea of what to get and what NOT to get. (Don't buy at Walmart)

haha, yeah the scope i've been borrowing is one of those wal-mart meade off brands. terrible, terrible scope. thank you david and leonard for being so helpful, i'll definitely give those links a checking out. i hope to see you guys the 10th.

sorry, i'm kind of lazy and didn't want to start a new thread just for this, but i was just wanting to double check that the star party tonight (9/10) is still a go.

Hi Drake -

Yes, it is a go. We'll bee there regardless of the weather (unless a tornado hits - fat chance from what I can tell at this point.)

See you there!